Submarine vessel



July 28, 19 25.

R. F. A. M CORMICK SUBM'ARINE VESSEL Filed 001;. 20. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l gwwnto'o al bozwug July 28, 1925. 7 1,547,934 R. F. A. MCCORMICK I SUBMARINE VESSEL Filed Oct. 20. 1924 3 Sheets-Shet 2 ,Fuel Ballad 3. I577. Torr/rial R. A. M CORMICK SUBMARINE VESSEL July 28,1925. 1,547,934

Filed 001;. 20. 1924 s Shees-Sheet 5 gwuzntox Patented July 28, 1925.

camp STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

I :ao mar r. A. mccoamcx, or concern), mew HAMPSHIRE.

soiamnamr. VESSEL.

7 Application filed October 20, 1924.v Serial No. 744,695.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known-that I, ROBERT F. A. MCCOR- MIcK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Concord, in the county of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Submarine Vessels, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanyingrdrawing's.

This invention relates. to submarine vessels, and more particularly to a means connectible with the submarine for supplying air under pressureor withdrawing vitiated air from thesubmarine while submerged, whether intentionally or as a result of an injury.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is readily connectible with the submarine at all depths workable by a diver, and contemplates provision of an apparatus such that the crew of the submarine may be supplied fresh air "during the period of submergence and until the time arrives when.

the submarine may be again-elevated to the surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means whereby flooded compartments of the submarine may be relieved of their contents, so 'as to lighten the vessel and to permit the same to rise because of its own buoyancy:

A still further object of the invention is to produce a device ofthis character which is controllable from any compartment of the submarine andin which the air supply may be connected with the submarine .at any of said compartments.

The invention further resides in'the details of construction of a connection whereby the admission of air may beobtained.

' In the drawings i 1 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing apparatus, constructed in accordance with my invention, applied to a submarine;

Figure -2 is an enlarged sectional view through the valve controlling admission of air to the various compartments;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing the connections to the manifold in each compartment;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing a modification of the control system shown in Figure-"1 Figure 5 is an enlarged detaihsectional view through the fitting by means of which.

outer end of the fitting;

Figure 7 is a plan viewof the outer end of the fitting;

- Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the emergency fitting which is installed to provide connectionbetween the surface vessel and the submarine.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the outer hull of the submarine, 11 the inner hull. The inner hull in the usual construction of a submarine is located nearer the top of the outer hull and is subdivided by a plurality of water-tight bulkheads 12 into a plurality of compartments including a control room 13, end compartments 14, and compartments15 arranged intermediate the control compartment 13 and such end. compartments; Between the outer and interior hulls at each end of the ship, trimming or water ballast tanks 16 are formed Below the inner hull centrally of the ship, a further water ballast tank 17 is provided. These water'ballast tanks 16 and 17 are each provided with a sea-cock 18 operable from bottom plan view of the sealing" plug employed to normally seal the the control room 13 by means of which water may be admitted to the tanks to permit the vessel to submerge or to control the trimming of the vessel in the usual manner. Below the interior hull, front and rear fuel tanks 19 and 20 are provided which contain the fuel supply for the engine of the submarine (not herein shown). In accordance with my invention, these fuel tanks 19 and 20 are provided with outlet cocks 21 in communication with the exterior of the submarine and similar to the sea-cocks 18 except that the outlet 22 thereof is preferably provided with an outwardly opening check I .valve 23.

adapted to place in communication with a conduit 25 leading to a surface vessel (not herein shown) a conduit 26 located at the interior of each compartment. Each conduit 26 has arranged therein a pair of valves 27 and 28, and between these valves is provided with a valve auge 29 capable of indicating pressures a ove and below atmospheric pressure. Each conduit 26 communicates at one end with the fittin 24 and at the opposite end with a manifol 30. Extending longitudinally of the submarine into each of the compartments 13, 14 and 15 are conduits 31, 32 and 33. Each conduit 31, 32 and 33 communicates at its opposite ends with'manifolds 30 of the compartment 14. In each instance a valve is arranged in 'the conduit adjacent the manifold 30, as indicated at 31, 32. and 33. The conduit 31 will hereinafter be referred to as the main air-line, the conduit 32 as the ballast tank air-line, and the conduit 33 as the fuel tank air line. In each compartment 13, 14

and 15 connections 34, 35 and 36 are provided between the main air-line, air-lines to the ballast tank and fuel tanks and themanifolds 30, these connections having valves 31, 32 and 33 therein so that communication with the manifold may be controlled. In ach of the compartments 13, 14 and 15, at opposite sides of each of the connections 34, 35 and 36, control valves 37, 38 and 39 are arranged so as to determine whether incoming air from the manifold 30 of that compartment is extended through the main airlines 31, 32 and 33 to either side of the connection between this line and the connections 34, 35 and 36 of the manifold.

In each end compartment 14, the ballast tank air-line 32 is provided with a connection 40 communicating with the adjacent ballast trimming tank 16, these con nections at the point of communication with the trimming tank being provided. with check valves 41 opening into the trimming tank and having intermediate their ends a manually controlled cut-off valve 42." The connections 40, between the 'main air-line 31 and the trimming tanks 16 communicate with the ballast tank air-line 32 be yond the manifold. 30 of. the compartments 14 from the valves 31, aiid within the compartments 14, between this point of connection and the point of passage of the ballast tank air-line from the compartment, a cutoff valve 43 is arranged in the line 32. The ballast tank air-line 32 is further in com- ,munication with the ballast tank 17 by a connection 44 having at its point of communication with the ballast tank a check valve 45, a cut-0E valve 46 being located in this connection. This 'COI1I1eCiI10I1 with the ballast tank takes place in the compartment in which it occurs, in the present instance shown as the control compartment 13. At a point beyond the connection 35 from the adjacent valve 38 and between this connection 44 and the point of passage of the line through the bulkhead 12, a cut-oil valve 47 is disposed. Now, while I have illustrated connections between the ballast tank air-line 32 and the ballast tanks 16 and 17 as occurring only in one compartment, it will be obvious that these connections might readily be provided in each compartment, the present arrangement being illustrative of the rinciple .of the invention. Between each fuel tank 19 and 20 and the fuel tank air-line 33, connections 48 are provided, each check-valved at the point of communication with the tank, at 49, and each having a cut-off valve 50. The communication is at a point similar to the communication of the connection 46 with the ballast tank air-line, and cut-off valves 51 are provided to control the passage of air as in the ballast tank air-lin Within each compartment 13, 14 and 15',

drical body is formed interiorly with a seat 58 against which is adapted to seat a valve 59 formed upon the lower end of a piston 60 fitting the interior of the cylinder. Abovethe valve seat, the side walls ofthe opening are provided with outlets 61. 'The end of the cylinder is provided with a perforated cap 62 through which is adjustably directed a screw 63 hearing a cap plate 64, between which plate and the end of the piston 60 a spring '65 extends. It will be obvious that through the screw 63 the pressure exerted by the spring 65 may be controlled, and accordingly the pressure at which the valve 59opens to admit air from the conduit 52 to the compartment.

During normal operation of the submarine, the valves 31, 37, 38, 39, 42, 46, 47, 50, 51 and 53 are always left open,,the remaining valves being closed with the exception of the sea-cocks 18 which are, of course, open from time to time to control the admission of water to and expulsion of water from the ballast tanks. In event of an acci dent during which the submarine is sunk and presuming such accident to have injured the forward compartment 14 and the -compartment 15 next adjacent thereto, to

such an extent that water was entering necessitating the closing of the bulkhead door betweenthe forward compartment 15 and the compartment at the rear thereof,

the procedure would be as follows: The

conduit 25 is connected with one of the fitf tings 24 of one of the rear compartments.

' If desired, two conduits may be connected to the fitt1n s 24 of this conduit for a pur-- ture as to absolutely prevent floating thereof, the ballast tanks 16 and 17 will first be opened. If the injury is at the forward end,

it would naturally be advisable that this end of the submarine be first elevated andaccordingly the following steps to be taken.

The sea-cock of the forward ballast tank 16 will be opened. In the present instance, the conduit 25 forming the source of incoming air is shown as communicating with the submarine at the rear compartment 15. The

iii)

valve 38 of this compartment, rearwardly of the connection 35, is closed, andthe valve 32 of the compartment is then opened admitting air to the ballast tank air-line. The valve 46 leading to the ballast tank 17 is closed. Air now passes forwardly through the ballast tank air-line, branch line '40 opening check valve 41 and entering the forward trimming ballast tank 16 expelling the water therefrom and rendering this tank buoyant. If the skin of the submarine at the tank be injured, water will be expelled through the openings formed by the injury as well as through the sea-cock 18. If the buoyancy thus afiorded is found insufficient, the valve '46 is opened as well as the sea-cock 18 of the ballast tank 17, and

the same process repeated. If the tank be tight after the water is expelled, the seacock may be closed so that none of the air is Wasted. If the buoyancy thus aflorded is still insufficient, a like process is employed to successively empty the fuel tanks 19 and 20, the valve 51 of the rear compartment 15 being closed and the valve 33 of this compartment open. The valves 50 of the rear fuel tank connections 48 will, of course, be closed during emptying of the forward fuel tank 19. It is understood, of course, that the sea-cocks 21 will be 0 ened at this time to permit the fuel to be discharged into the sea. The check valve 23 protects against the entrance of water in inadvertent opens ing of a valve 21. It will furthermore be obvious that the flooded compartments 14 and 15 at the forward end of the submarine mitted it. It is preferred that, where possible, in addition to the line supplying pressure a second line 'isattached as above de- In the mountin scribed, this line being connected with a source of suction, as indicated, and being emplo ed to draw vitiated air from the occupie compartments. When this is to be 'done, the valve' 54 is opened and the valve 3" closed in the compartment whose fitting 24 is connected with the conduit 25 leading to thesource of suction. The valve 27 of this compartment is then opened and upon showing of suction upon the gauge 29, the valve 28 is opened, with the result that vitiated air is drawn through the valve 54 into the manifold 30 and thus from the vessel.

An obvious variation of the structure as shown in Figure 1, whereby the pressure is conducted to a selected tank, is suggested in Figure 4, in which figure I have shown,.instead of the main air-lines 32 and 33 having branches communicating with the various fluid containing tanks, a plurality of airlines 66, 67 and 68 replacing the air-line 32. While three of these air-lines are shown, the number will correspond to the number of ballast containing tanks which are employed in the vessel, of which three are in the present instance illustrated.- Each 'of these branch pipes 66, 67 and 68 communicates with the tank to which it corresponds and is connected with each of the manifolds 30, through the pipe 35, by means of corresponding valved branch pipe 66", 67 and 68*, the valve 35 of the branch pipe 35 be-j ing omitted. Similarly, the air-line 33 is substituted by air-lines 69 and 70 corresponding in number to the fuel tanks, the

line 36 of the manifold 30 in each instance bein connected by valved branch pipes 69 crew is confined to a single compartment.

It is understood that this is a very rare occurrence and that the provision of such ameans as shown in this figure will merely. be an extreme precaution.

It will be obvious that considerable difiiculty will be met with in making the attachment of the air-lines to a surface vessel, and in orderto reduce this difiiculty to the greatest possible degree I provide a fittingsuch as more clearly shown in Figures 5 to 8. In this figure the fitting 24 is shown as consisting of an outer hull engaging plate 71 hav ing a reduced inwardly extending stem 72., of this fitting the outer hull 10 is forme with an opening 73 receiving .the outer hull engaging plate 71, this ,plate having a flange 74 seatlng upon the edges of the opening. The stem 72 of the late is directed through a smaller opening 5 formed in the inner hull 11 and has formedthereon a properly spaced flange 76 seating against the outer surface of the inner hull when the flange 7 4 of the outer hull is engaged against the outer surface of the outer hull. These flanges will be bolted or otherwise secured to their respective hulls as illustrated. The outer hull engaging plate 71 is formed with a bore, the side walls of which are provided with mutilated screwthreads 77 similar to those provided upon cannon breeches, so that upon a quarter rotation of a closure plate 78 this closure plate is locked securely in position in the bore. The closure plate is attached to the outer hull engaging plate 71 by a chain 79 permitting its rotation and is locked against such rotation when secured in position by means of a fastening screw 80. I

It will be obvious that when the vessel is submerged any attempt to release this plate will be resisted by the pressure of the water, and I accordingly form through the closure plate 78 a pair of bores 81, the inner ends of which are formed with valve seats 82 with which are normally engaged valves 83 held seated by springs 84:. These valve springs,

when the plate 1s fully seated, abut the bottom wall 85 of the bore of the outer hull engagin plate and movement o fthe valves is accor ingly prevented. As the plate is lrgoved to the open position, however, these springs are free to flex and the valves permitted to open'in response to the pressure of water, so that water may enter beneath the closure plate 7 8 equalizing the pressure and rendering the removal thereof a simple operation.

The stem 72 is provided with a longitudinally extending threaded bore 86 communicating with the bore of the outer hull engaging plate in which is engaged a threaded valve stem 87, the end of this stem forming a valve 88 coacting with a seat 89 formed at the inner end of the bore. This bore 86 communicates with a tapered bore '90 enlarging toward the bore of the plate 71, and the walls of this tapered bore 90 form a seat for a plug valve 91 carried by the closure late 78 at the center of the bottom thereof.

his plug valve effectually seals against the passage of any water which may leak in about the edges of the closure plate, and the entrance of water to the interior of the submarine in event of such leakage is further prevented by the valve 88/ The stem -72 is provided wlth a second bore. 92, this bore communicating at its outer. end with the bore 86 adjacent the valve seat 89 thereof and at its inner end with the conduit 26.

In emergencies the closure 78 -is replaced by the communication fitting 93 which consists of a plate similarto the closureplate 78 having a central plug valve 94 for sealing engagement with the conical bore 90, this central opening having a ort 95 which communicates at its outer en with one member of a swivel coupling 96 to which the air-line 25 is connected. This air-line 25 has arranged therein next adjacent the swivel coupling a cut-off valve 97 and beyond the cutoil' valve from the swivel coupling is a blowout valved outlet 98. .In order that trapped sea water may be permitted'to pass from between the inner face and the bottom wall 85 of the opening of the hull plate 71, the plate has formed therethrough a pair of openings 99 having outwardly opening check valves 100 disposed therein which open to permit the Water to pass out. As a diver bears the fitting 93 connected to a surface vessel by the hose 25 to the submarine, the valve 97 is left open, thus preventing the buoyancy of the line 25 from interfering with operations and making the line 25 more flexible After the plate 93 is in position, the valve 97 is .closed and the valved outlet 98 open until air passes from the outlet, at which time it is closed and the valve 97 open. The diver then signals to the occupants of the submarinethat the/fitting is positioned and the occupants of the submarine open the valve 88 sufficiently to permit the pressure to reach the conduit 26. The valve 27 is then opened,

and when pressure shows upon the gauge 29 the valve 28, after which the procedure above referred to is employed to empty the tanks and compartments in the submarine which may be flooded.

It will be obvious that the structure of the fitting may be considerably modified. For example, if the vessel be provided with but a single hull instead of the double hull illustrated at the point where it is desired to let the fitting through, the flange 76 would, of course, be omitted. Since the manner of transmitting pressure to the valved tanks and compartments of the submarine may likewise be modified, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the specific construction set forth except as hereinafter claimed.

1. In a vessel having a plurality of watertight compartments and a plurality of tanks for the reception of liquids, means for placing any of said compartments in communication with a source of air under pressure generated exteriorly of the vessel, means for placing a selected tank in communication with the. exterior of the vessel, and means operable from any compartment for placing a selected tank in communication with said source of air.

2. In a submarine vessel having a plurality of compartments and a plurality of tanks for the reception of liquids, means for placing any of said compartments in communication with a source of air under pressure generated exteriorly of the vessel, means for placing a selected tank in communication with the exterior of the vessel, and means for placing a selected tank in communication with said source of air controllable from any compartment in the vessel.

3. In combination with a vessel having a plurality of watertight compartments, a manifold within each compartment, means for placing any of said manifolds in communication with a source of air under pressure, a connection between said manifold controllablefrom any compartment to cut off communication between the manifolds of a given compartment and the compartand means in each of said compartments for placing a selected tank in communication with said source of air independently of any of the remaining tanks of the vessel.

5. In a submarine vessel interiorly subdivided to produce a plurality of compartments and a plurality of 'tanks, means extending through the walls of the vessel at each compartment and connectible exteriorlyof the vessel with a source of air under pressure,

means extending through the walls. of the vessel in each compartment and receiving air therefrom, and a valve-controlled" con-' .nection between each of said tanks and each v tending through the walls of the vessel at extending into each compartment and-connectible exteriorly of the vessel with a source of air under ressure, means for placing a selected tank in communication with the exterior of the vessel, a manifold connected with said means extending through the walls of the vessel in each compartment and receiving air therefrom, a valve-controlled connection between each of said tanks and eachmanifold within each compartment, a conduit all of said compartments, and a connection between said conduit and the manifold of each compartment.

7 In a submarine vessel interiorly subdivided to produce a plurality of compartments and a plurality of tanks, means.ex-

tending through the walls of the vessel at means for placing a selectedtank iii-communication with the exterior of the ]vessel, a manifold connected with said whereby they may communication with each compartment and connectible exteriorly ofthe vessel with a source of air under pressure, means for placing a selected tank in communication with the exterior of the vessel, a manifold connected with said means extending thrdughthe walls of the vessel in each compartment and receiving ai'r therefrom, a valve-controlled connection between each of said tanks and each manifold within each compartment, a conduit extending into all of saidcompartments, and a connection between said conduit and the manifold of each compartment, the last named connections each having a valve whereby they may be controlled.

8. In a submarine vessel interiorly sub-' divided to produce a plurality of compartments and a plurality of tanks, means extending through the walls of the vessel at each compartment and connectible exteriorly of the vessel with a source of 'air under pressure, means for placing a selected tank in communication-with the exterior of the vessel, a manifold connected with said means extending through the wallsof the vessel in each compartment and receiving air therefrom,

fold within each compartment, a conduit extending into all. of. said compartments, a connection between said conduit and the manifold of each compartment, the last a valve-controlled connection between each of said tanks and each mamnamed connections each having a valve whereby, they may be controlled, andmeans for automatically placing each compartment in communication'with the manifold thereof upon formation of a predetermined pressure within the manifold.

9.- In .a submarine vessel interiorlysubdivided to produce a plurality of compartments and a plurality of tanks, means extending through the walls of the vessel at each compartment and connectible exteriorlyof the vessel with a vsource of air under pressure, means for placing a selected tank in communication'with the exterior of the: vessel, a manifold connected with said means extending through'the walls of the vessel ,in each compartment and receiving air therefrom, a valve-controlled connection between each of said tanks and each-manifold within each compartment, a conduit a connection betweenh'said conduit an the manifold of each named connections each havmg a valve be controlled, means for each compartment in the manifold thereof upon formation of a predetermined pressure within the manifold, and manually controlled means for closingcommunication beautomatically. placing compartment, the last tween said automatic means and the manifold of each compartment.

10. In 2 Submarine Vessel interiorly subdivided to produce a plurality of compartments, and aplurality of tanks, means extending through the walls of the vessel at each compartment and connectible exteriorly of the vessel with a source of air under pressure, means for placing a selected tank in communication with the exterior of the vessel, a manifold connected with said means extending through the walls of the vessel in each compartment and receiving air therefrom, a valve-controlled connection between eachof said tanks and each manifold within each compartment, a conduit extending into all of said compartments, a connection between said conduit and the manifold of each compartment, the last named connections each having a valve whereby they may be controlled, means for automatically placing each compartment in communication with the manifold thereof upon formation of a predetermined pressure within the manifold, manually controlled means for closing communication between said automatic means and the manifold of each compartment, and manually controlled means for placing each compartment in communication with its manifold.

' sel having 11. In combination with a submarine vesa hull, a 'fitting extending through said hull and provided at the exterior of the vessel with a socket and at the interior of the vemel with a bore communicating with said socket, a removable aaeaeea 14. In combination with a submarine vessel having a hull, a fitting extending through said hull and provided at the exterior of the vessel with a socket and at the interior of the vessel with a bore communicating with said socket, a plug insertible in said socket-and when inserted therein having communication with said bore,

and means for releasing fluid trapped beplug normally closing said socket at the exterior of the vessel, and means for automatically admitting pressure to the under surface of the plug as the plug is loosened in the socket. v

12. In combination with a submarine vessel having through said hull-and provided at the exterior of the vessel with a socket and at the interior of the vessel with a bore com municating with said socket, a removable plug normally closing said socket at the exterior of the vessel, means for automatically admitting pressureto the under surface of check valves and the bottom of thesocket with the seats thereof tween the. base of the socket and the plug as the plug is loosened in the socket, lncluding inwardly opening check valves in said plug, and means engaging against said for maintaining the valves in engagement when the plug is fully receded in the socket.

13, In combination with a submarine vessel having a hull, a fitting extending throughsaid hull and provided at the ex terior of the vessel with a socket and at the interior of the @vessel with a bore communicating with said socket, a plug insertible in said socket and whenihserted therein having communication with said bore,

and meansfor releasing fluid trapped be the plug through the plug.

a, hull, a fitting extending tween the base of the socket and the plug through the plug comprising outwardly openin check valves in said plug.

15. n combination with a submagine vessel having a hull, a fitting extending through said hull and provided at the ex-- ing through said hull and provided at the exterior of the vessel with a socket and at the interior of the vessel with a bore communicating with said socket, a plug insertible in said socket and when inserted therein having communication with said bore, means for releasing fluid'trapped between the base of the socket and the plug through the plug;

and means communicating with the bore interiorly of the submarine for selectively transmitting fluid from said boreto any of the compartments of the submarine.

17 In combination with a. submarine vessel having a hull, a fitting extending through said hull and provided at the exterior of the vessel with a socket and at the interior of the vessel with a bore communicating with said socket, a removable plu normally closing said socket at the exterior of the vessel, means for automatically admitting pressure to the under surface of the plug as the plug is loosened in the socket, and a valve operable from the interior of the submarine for closing, said bore.

18. In a submarine vessel interiorly sub divided to produce a plurality of compartments and a plurality of tanks, means extending through the wallsv of the-vessel at each compartment and connectible exteri orly of the vessel with a source of air underv pressure, means for placinga selected tank in communication with the exterior of the .vessel, a manifold connected with said means extending through the walls of the vessel in each compartment and receiving air therefrom, a valve-controlled connection between each of said tanks and each mani fold within each compartment, and meansfor placing each of said compartments in communication with the manifold thereof. 19. In combination with a vessel including a plurality of watertight compartments and a plurality of tanks for the reception of liquids, said tanks having means whereby they may be placed into communication with the exterior of the vessel, a manifold within each compartment, a connection between each manifold and the remaining manifolds,

, a connection between each manifold and each tank and means for placing any of said manifolds in communication with a source a connection between each manifold and.

each tank and means for placing any of said manifolds in communication with a source of air under pressure, including fittings directed through the wall of the vessel and connectible exteriorly of the vessel with such source of pressure; Y

21. In a submarine vessel, a lurality of watertight compartments a luraIity of tanks communicating with the exterior of the vessel, a manifold in each compartment,

a valve control connection between eachmanifold and the remaining manifo'lds, a valve control connection between each manifold and each tank and means for connecting any of said manifolds to a source of pressure disposed exteriorly of the vessel.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

ROBERT F. A MCCORMICK. 

